Erdogan, Abdelatty meet in Ankara as Turkey-Egypt vow deeper ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English
12 Nov 2025 22:15

Erdogan meets Egypt’s FM in Ankara to discuss Gaza, Sudan, Libya, and trade as Türkiye and Egypt commit to restoring full diplomatic and economic ties.

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Egyptian FM Badr Abdelatty and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey, November 11, 2025 (Social media)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a closed-door meeting on Wednesday in Ankara with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

The meeting was not open to the press and was attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Akif Çağatay Kılıç, Erdogan’s chief advisor on foreign and security affairs.

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf said discussions focused heavily on developments in Gaza. Abdelatty praised the close cooperation between Egypt, Türkiye, Qatar, and the United States that led to the Sharm El-Sheikh peace agreement.

He stressed the need to build on the agreement to ensure the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and to create conditions conducive to reconstruction.

Abdelatty also briefed Erdogan on preparations for the upcoming Cairo International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza, reiterating the importance of laying a political foundation that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty and al-Quds as its capital, which he claimed is the true guarantee for lasting regional stability.

President @RTErdogan received Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, at the AK Party Headquarters in Ankara. pic.twitter.com/Y4TYiTbUQG
— Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (@trpresidency) November 12, 2025

Focus on Sudan and Libya conflicts

The meeting also addressed the escalating crisis in Sudan, particularly the “horrific violations” in the city of El Fasher. Abdelatty stressed the urgency of effective action to reach a political settlement, while underlining the need to preserve Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

He reiterated Egypt’s support for Sudan’s national institutions and emphasized that an inclusive political solution remains the only path to ending the crisis and fulfilling the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

On Libya, the Egyptian Foreign Minister reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Libya. He emphasized that a Libyan–Libyan dialogue is the only viable route to lasting stability in the country. He also touched on developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, calling for stronger regional cooperation to preserve peace and security.

Egypt, Türkiye to boost bilateral trade to $15 billion

Separately, both countries pledged to strengthen economic cooperation during a meeting in Ankara headed by Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), with Abdelatty and the Egyptian delegation in attendance.

Abdelatty noted that the two nations aim to increase bilateral trade volume to $15 billion, up from $8.8 billion in 2024, a figure he said remains below potential.

“Without a doubt, we will provide you with all available facilities. You need us, and we need you. We are your gateway to Africa,” he stated, highlighting Egypt’s large domestic market and its free trade agreements across the Arab region and the African continent.

Over 200 Turkish companies operate in Egypt

Hisarcıklıoğlu described Türkiye and Egypt as two friendly nations with deep cultural and historical ties, and significant potential for cooperation in key sectors including industry, trade, energy, tourism, and construction.

He stated that Turkish companies have invested approximately $3 billion in Egypt, with around 200 Turkish companies, including 40 major firms, currently operating in the country. These firms create job opportunities, boost exports, and contribute to the local economy.

“Mısır is Türkiye’s largest trade partner in Africa,” he added, expressing support for the $15 billion trade goal, calling it “realistic and achievable.” He also pointed to major opportunities in Egypt’s construction sector.

Following years of tensions

Erdogan and El-Sisi have been sparring since the military's 2013 ousting of President Mohammad Morsi.

After the so-called 2011 "Arab Spring" in several Middle Eastern countries, Istanbul became a refuge for Islamist opposition activists, especially for Egyptians linked to Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood.

Bilateral talks began to restore relations in 2021. Despite the relative improvement in relations between the two countries after meetings held at the level of deputy foreign ministers, progress was slow, and the two countries did not agree to exchange ambassadors.

Despite deteriorating ties, Carnegie Middle East Center reported in 2022 that the trade exchange between the countries nearly tripled in a span of 13 years between 2007 and 2020.